The Philippines: 2006 Worst Year For Human Rights

The Arroyo regime wants to insurgency by the year 2010. Psychological warfare, combat and target killing formula ended up with more deaths in the countryside and urban areas. Internal Security Operations (ISO) Oplan Bantay Laya and its death squads are responsible for the political killings. More than 800 activists, journalists, lawyers, farmers, workers and religious workers had been summary executed for their anti-Arroyo stand. The Arroyo government is just doing a lip service to stop political killings after international pressures.


2006 worst year for RP human rights

Daily Tribune 12/30/2006

Another record-high has been notched by President Arroyo and her administration, in line with political murders in the Philippines reaching their highest level in 2006 since the toppling of former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, human activists were quoted by Agence France Presse as saying.

Mrs. Arroyo’s poor record on political murders and human rights abuses have topped the numbers racked up by Marcos, Aquino, Ramos and Estrada years combined.

More than 180 activists —including journalists, human rights workers, left-wing politicians, trade unionists, judges and lawyers — were assassinated this year for their criticism of those in power, they say.

“An average of three extra-judicial killings are occurring every week in the country,” a Canadian human rights team concluded recently after a fact-finding mission to the Southeast Asian nation.

“A clear pattern of state-perpetrated politically motivated extra-judicial killings” was occurring in the country, the team said.

The Canadian team’s report has been dismissed by the Arroyo government as propaganda to serve the country’s communist insurgents who have been fighting a Maoist war for four decades in their bid to seize power.

But local human rights group Karapatan says it has recorded 185 such killings in 2006, the highest number since the regime of Marcos, renowed for his suppression of critics and ousted in 1986.

The sheer number has alarmed the European Union, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Roman Catholic Church, all of which have called on Mrs. Arroyo to take action to stop the bloodshed.

Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, vice-president of the Catholic Bishops Conference in this largely Roman Catholic country, said action must be taken irrespective of who was behind them.

“In the past, there were allegations of killings from the left and the right but regardless of which end of the political spectrum is responsible, public authorities should be even-handed in trying to resolve them,” he told AFP.

Opposition congressman Roilo Golez warned the “murderous year” was undermining democracy, in a nation with a history of coups and dictatorships.

The most high-profile murder came Dec. 16 when Rep. Luis Bersamin, an ally of the President representing the northern province of Abra, was shot dead along with his security aide outside a church in a Manila suburb after the completion of the wedding rites of a niece where he stood as a wedding sponsor.

Police say they have a witness who has linked Abra Gov. Vicente Valera to the killing. Valera has denied responsibility, saying he and Bersamin were longtime allies.

While the family of the slain Bersamin tags Valera as the mastermind of the murder of the congressman, along with a suspect who, in an affidavit, linked Valera to the murder, the Philippine National Police said the testimony was hearsay and that the police have no strong evidence to charge Valera at this time even as he remains a suspect.

Earlier senior government lawyer Nestor Ballacillo was shot dead along with his son also in a Manila suburb. Police said they had arrested a suspect.

In response to the bloodshed, Mrs. Arroyo has ordered an increase in the visibility of police and for officers to work closer with communities.

She has also set up a special commission to determine who are behind the slayings which has yet to report its findings.

The Melo Commission, a fact-finding body created by Mrs. Arroyo said it would be finished with its task by end December and submit its report to the President. But this early, several commissioners have said that the report would be based mainly on police and military accounts, which would then blame the leftists for these murders.

The Melo Commission, from the start, suffered credibility problems, as the body’s composition has as majority members, officials from the Justice Department, who are known to kowtow to Mrs. Arroyo’s directives.

The President, despite many calls for her to order her police and military to stop the killings by foreign governments and international church leaders, along with international press groups, has not done so, preferring instead to direct her attacks at the leftists groups and her other critics, saying it is the communists who have been behind all these political murders to destabilize her government.

Military and police officials have blamed at least some of the deaths on an internal purge or factional fighting within the 7,100-strong Communist Party’s New People’s Army.

The military, whose officers have also been accused of some of the killings, claim the overall numbers are bloated.

For its part, the New People’s Army has admitted carrying out purges in the past but has largely denied it is behind the latest spate of political murders.

Several international press organizations have also called on Mrs. Arroyo to put a stop to the killings, but these calls have largely been unheeded by Malacañang. They also scored the Arroyo government for suppressing press freedom in the country through the filing of numerous libel suits by the presidential spouse, Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo against several journalists, including publishers, editors, reporters and columnists deemed critical of the government and of his alleged power and influence over government affairs.

The Freedom House based in the US has also scored the Philippines under Mrs. Arroyo for the loss of press freedom, pulling the country’s ranking from an earlier “free” to half-free” state.

Last February, Mrs. Arroyo issued Proclamation 1017, imposing a country-wide national emergency rule, where rallies were banned and demonstrators quickly dispersed, with their leaders arrested without warrants.

A newspaper, the Daily Tribune, was raided at midnight by police operatives and illegally searched and seized several documents, without a warrant. The police padlocked the printing press and offices while surrounding the Tribune offices for days.

Then Police chief Gen. Arturo Lomibao announced in a televised press conference that he and his police force would be taking over the editorial aspect of the paper.

The Tribune, along with others went to the high court to question the constitutionality of the emergency rule. This proclamation was struck down by the high court.

During a visit to Finland where European leaders were gathered for a summit, Mrs. Arroyo was also scored by these leaders on the deteriorating human rights situation in the country. In reply, Mrs. Arroyo said she had formed the Melo Commission to look into these murders, but ended up blaming the leftists and the communists, as her police and military do.

But blaming the communists and establishing a commission have failed to ease fears among many Filipinos about their own safety. With AFP


International Reactions Fail to Stop Killings and Disappearances
Stop Political Killings
Philippines: The Killing Fields of Asia

Election Automation 2007

The lack of time is not an acceptable excuse for the pilot-testing of computerized elections for May 2007. Those shameless lawmakers who raped the constitution will be definitely trash by the electorate in a clean and honest election. Poll automation pilot project is long overdue. It should be implemented last 2004 national elections. Why the delay? I have the reason to believe that manual election favored Mrs. Gloria Arroyo in a dagdag-bawas scheme. History repeats itself over and over again until total revamp of the Comelec. Peoples’ trust and confidence to the election body is eroded and it may take years before it can redeem itself. How to restore Comelec’s reputation? Leadership and neutrality are the main public concerns. Poll automation may prevent massive electoral fraud.


Election Automation
Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr., today announced that the poll body can no longer pilot test full automation in May 2007 due to the lack of time.
In a meeting with the members of the press, Abalos explained that the Advisory Council recommended not proceeding with end-to-end automation because of insufficient time. “Automated voting and counting have been given the thumbs down by the Advisory Council,” Abalos told reporters, The Advisory Council also pointed out that the Automated Election System bill has not yet been signed into law, and that no budget had been set aside for the implementation of the automation pilot tests.
However, Abalos said it is still possible for the COMELEC to implement electronic transmission if Congress would be able to enact the law authorizing the COMELEC to use such a system. According to him, the Council had expressed the belief that it would be more prudent to focus on electronic transmission since this required less preparation time than the automation of voting and counting.
“For the electronic transmission it would still depend on whether the bill would be a law,” he said. “We remain hopeful that the lawmakers would be able to decide if they would allow the electronic transmission to be used in the May 2007 polls.” Abalos cited the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Batanes as possible pilot areas for electronic transmission. Full text from Comelec website
http://comelec.wordpress.com/2006/12/22/election-automation/

GMA asked to sign poll automation bill

Former Election Official Virgilio Garcillano Is A Freeman

The corrupt Arroyo government is run by deceit and fantasy. Deceit breeds distrust of government and that’s the reason why Gloria Arroyo has negative zero credibility. The Filipino people no longer trust her. Mrs. Arroyo wants unity in the country and at same time the Department of Justice dismissed the case of Virgilio Garcillano. Justice is a big joke under corrupt Arroyo regime. It appears that Senator Panfilo Lacson, Rep. Gilbert Remulla and other opposition congressmen look like fools after the DOJ junked its complaint against Garcillano. The evil forces in Malacanang Palace want to protect cheaters, liars and crooks for political survival. Election fraud chief manipulator Virgilio Garcillano is one of the untouchables under Gloria’s Enchanted Kingdom. The domino effect will follow if Garcillano spill the beans the massive election cheating in 2004. The Department of Justice is a part of grand conspiracy to cover-up the 2004 electoral fraud. What solid evidence the DOJ is looking for? Everybody knows that Virgilio Garcillano lied through his teeth the whole time during election fraud congressional hearing. The Department of Justice’s junking of perjury and falsification complaints will not end the issue on massive cheating in 2004 presidential election. There’s no ending until culprits are send to jail. There’s no justice until bogus President Gloria Arroyo is ousted. God saves the Philippines!

12/24/2006 Philippine Daily Inquirer
by Michael Lim Ubac

THE man at the center of suspicions that President Macapagal-Arroyo stole the vote in the 2004 polls hopes that the dismissal by the Department of Justice of the perjury and falsification charges lodged against him by opposition lawmakers will finally bury the ghost of the controversial 2004 presidential election.

“Sana matapos na (I hope this will end),” former Election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano told the Inquirer when reached by phone yesterday at his farm in Baungon, Bukidnon.

Garcillano is widely believed to be the man with whom Ms Arroyo was speaking in tapped phone conversations during the 2004 election period.

The conversations triggered accusations of poll fraud that almost brought down Ms Arroyo’s administration and that continue to hound her.

Garcillano refused to comment further beyond saying that the DOJ order was long overdue.

But the dismissal of charges against Garcillano did not surprise Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Both senators said they had expected the DOJ, on the purported prodding of Malacañang, to clear the brains of the alleged fraud that came to be known as the “Hello Garci” scandal.

“We expected this. Malacañang and the DOJ have no choice but to drop the case. If the case were filed in court, Garci will go all over town pointing his fingers at them. They can’t afford Garci telling on them,” said Lacson, who had filed the charges along with a number of opposition congressmen.

If at all, the senator said, he and the other lawmakers had proved one thing: “[Those who benefited] remain hostages of Garci and whatever information he has on them. They remain hostages now and until God knows when.”

Pimentel agreed.

“Why should you be surprised [at the DOJ decision]? A life that is full of lies must necessarily be supported by other lies,” he said.

As early as November

The 12-page DOJ resolution was issued as early as Nov. 14 by State Prosecutor George Yarte and approved by Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño upon the recommendation of Assistant Chief Prosecutor Richard Fadullon.

But a copy of the decision was obtained by the media only the other day, faxed by Garcillano’s lawyer Eddie Tamondong.

In throwing out the charges against Garcillano, the DOJ discredited a note verbale from Singapore and a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas report.

It also said the opposition lawmakers failed to prove that Garcillano’s statements at a House hearing were made under oath.

The DOJ found no probable cause to prosecute Garcillano for the 21 counts of perjury and falsification of passport charges filed against him by Lacson and 19 other members of Congress in March and April 2006.

The cases were initially investigated by Prosecutor Laurence Chua Cheng of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

They were endorsed by the Quezon City Prosecutor to the DOJ for continuation of preliminary investigation and resolution, after the complaining legislators moved to inhibit the entire Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for alleged bias.

On the phone yesterday, Garcillano’s wife Grace could not hide her elation.

“Mabuti naman. Magandang Christmas ‘to (This is good. This will be a good Christmas),” she said, adding that she and her husband would share a simple Noche Buena (Christmas Eve dinner) at the farm.

Unresolved issues

The other lawmakers who brought the charges against Garcillano warned that the Arroyo administration’s efforts to bury the truth would continue to haunt the incumbent in Malacañang and the country as a whole.

“Christmas is about reconciliation based on forgiveness and truth. But this Christmas, instead of giving the gift of truth to the Filipino people, the deception continues and it’s Garci who continues to receive gifts from this administration,” said House Deputy Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.

“Although we really want reconciliation, peace, etc., the unresolved issues and continued whitewash do not augur well for the kind of reconciliation this country needs,” he added.

Another minority deputy leader, Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla, also said in a text message that the ruling was not surprising.

“From the get-go we knew that our case would be dismissed by the prosecutors and the DOJ they answer to. We expected no less when the prosecutors refused to even look at our solid evidence,” he said.

Remulla said even the media release of the decision was timed for “minimal impact on the public.”

“It must be the administration’s Christmas gift for Garci,” he said, but added that the fight was “far from over.”

He didn’t lie

Grace Garcillano said her husband was delighted when he heard of the dismissal in the weekend.

“Of course, he’s happy with the decision,” she said, adding that the DOJ ruling clearly proved that her husband did not lie when he told the Inquirer in a Nov. 27, 2005, interview that he did not leave the country following the surfacing of the “Garci tapes.”

“I was here all this time,” Garcillano said then.

Declared Grace yesterday: “My husband did not lie.”

Grace refused to comment on the specifics of the allegations against her husband, insisting that “details are more accurate in the proceedings.”

But she said that for some reason, the complainants bungled their own cases, and therefore had only themselves to blame for their legal defeat.

“They did not submit their own memorandum (reply to Garcillano’s counteraffidavit) for a long time. It’s not fair to prolong the case just because the other side will not submit their own memo,” she said.

She also defended her husband from allegations that his passport, which bears no immigration stamp indicating he had left the country, had been tampered with.

“They question his passport. But not all passports are the same. It’s possible that there may have been deviations during the production process. They say the passport size does not conform to standards, but I don’t know their standards,” she said.

No closure

Lacson and Pimentel expressed the belief that the dismissal of the charges would not put a closure to the scandal.

“Just like the impeachment [cases against Ms Arroyo] filed in the House, there’s no closure to this,” Lacson said.

Said Pimentel: “The Garci controversy will not end until the truth is out. Lies divide; only the truth unites.”

Lacson said it would not be prudent to appeal the DOJ resolution.

“It’s useless to file an appeal. With [Justice Secretary Raul] Gonzalez and Malacañang at the helm, it will only be dismissed. Everyone is the hostage of Garci now. At the proper time, this case will be revived,” he said.

Lacson expressed disagreement with the prosecutor’s finding that there was no probable cause to file a case against the former Comelec official.

He said he and the congressmen had presented strong evidence, including an authentication from Singapore’s foreign ministry that Garcillano had stopped in the city-state on July 14 on his way to London.

“It would have been easy to prove probable cause with those pieces of evidence,” he said. With reports from TJ Burgonio and Leila B. Salaverria
Timeline in ‘Hello Garci’ scandal
Garci case not closed, says Biazon
Lacson to DOJ chief: Stop lying on Garcillano case
Master Operator

US Pulls Out Balikatan Joint Military Exercises

Photo: DoD/LCPL THOMAS D. HUDZINSKI, USMC


Political prostitute Gloria Arroyo will show her true colors soon after the United States flexed its muscle to achieve Daniel Smith custody. Future US military and economic aid to the Philippines is tied with mutual defense treaty. The government is fighting with the communist insurgency, the Moro separatist and the Abu Sayaff Muslim radicals. The United States is involved in counterinsurgency war after the end of Pacific war. The cancellation or decrease in military aid to the Philippines may hamper counterinsurgency campaign. The bankrupt Arroyo regime cannot afford to lose US military aid.




US pulls out of Balikatan, RP mercy missions

By Michaela P. del Callar

Daily Tribune 12/23/2006

The American PR game is finished. Kaput.

The United States government yesterday announced its cancellation of all military exercises and humanitarian operations in the Philippines following the custody dispute over American Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith, who was convicted of rape this month.

In what seemed to be a retaliatory move against the Philippine government for denying twice its request for American custody of Smith, the US Embassy in Manila said all the scheduled military exercises with the Philippines next year will be cancelled.

“The reason is the current custody issue. The US wants protection of US military personnel. It wouldn’t be prudent to bring in US

troops if the Philippines can not assure their protection,” said Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop.

The joint military exercises would involve about 4,700 American troops and 3,000 from the Philippines.

Reporters tried to get a comment from Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, but he declined to issue a statement.

Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces (VFAcom) Executive Director Zosimo Paredes said he is “not aware of such a thing.”

The US government has accused the Philippines of not complying with the terms of the VFA when it thumbed down its request for the immediate transfer of Smith to its embassy in Manila.

American authorities asserted its right to have custody over Smith until after all judicial proceedings are over, as stated under the military agreement.

Makati judge Benjamin Pozon sentenced Smith to life imprisonment last Dec. 4 after declaring him guilty of raping a 23-year-old woman in Subic last year.

Pozon also rejected bids by the US embassy and the Philippine government to have Smith turned over to US custody. Smith remains at the Makati City Jail.

Both the Philippine and US governments “agree” that Smith, as a member of the US military governed by the VFA, should be in US custody.

The Philippine government and US embassy both argued the VFA provides for US custody of its soldiers facing criminal charges during the judicial process, including an appeal.

“No doubt both governments are in agreement. However, the question is still the custody and to get him back to US custody,” Lussenhop said.

“The VFA provides the legal framework. But since the Philippine government is not complying, it is not prudent for additional forces to come until the custody issue is resolved,” he added.

A report from the New York Times quoted US Forces in the Pacific, Adm. William J. Fallon, as saying that “he would halt aid and reconstruction programs carried out by the American military in the Philippines until he was confident that the troops’ legal rights would be protected under bilateral agreements governing visiting United States forces.”

Aside from this, millions worth of US military aid and counter-terrorism assistance to the Philippines may also be in jeopardy.

But Lussenhop said he is not sure if the US government is also planning to curtail any ongoing activity on humanitarian assistance.

“I’m not sure. We’re not talking about civilian aid. What we’re talking about is Balikatan. I don’t have the transcript of Admiral Fallon’s interview,” he said.

Malacañang tried to downplay the US government’s cancellation of the Balikatan and humanitarian missions n the country.

In a phone interview, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol said what happened yesterday was merely a “temporary setback” and the Palace is still hopeful that Smith will be brought back to the custody of the US authorities.

Apostol added that the Philippine government is doing its best and has dispatched the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to file a legal action before the Court of Appeals (CA), with the great possibility of the CA ruling in favor of the VFA provision.

“We already filed the necessary action before the CA and we are totally confident that within the next few days, the CA will rule in favor of the international treaty,” Apostol said .

A highly reliable security official yesterday also expressed belief that the decision of the US government to cancel the war games will have a negative impact on the country’s security but he refused to elaborate.

“What can we do if our allies cannot understand us? Definitely, there’ll be some security implications but the extent of which I don’t know yet,” the official said.

The security official also promised to talk to his counterpart in the US government to discuss the matter.

Smith, along with three other US servicemen, were charged with raping a Filipino woman, known as Nicole in Nov. 1 at the former American base in Subic Bay, Olongapo City.

Smith was found guilty by a lower court while his three co-accused Staff Sergeant Chad Carpentier, Lance Corporals Dominic Duplantis and Keith Silkwood were acquitted by the court.

The assault on the woman has stirred anti-American emotions in the former American colony, with several militant groups and legislators calling for the abrogation of the VFA.

After Manila terminated the bases agreement with the US in 1991, the two countries signed in 1998 the VFA, which allows bilateral military exercises between US and Filipino troops.

For his part, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez yesterday said Judge Pozon’s decision on the controversial Subic Rape case prompted the US government to cancel next year’s Balikatan military exercises with the Filipino troops.

Gonzalez confirmed the US government has also pulled out its troops assisting the thousands of people displaced by the recent calamity in Bicol and received information that the US would no longer push through with its plan to conduct joint exercises with the members of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The US actions indicate the relations between the two countries has gone sour due to the failure of the Philippines to perform its obligations under the VFA, the DoJ chief, who appears to be lawyering for Smith and the US, stressed.

“We cannot blame the US for its actions because we don’t seem to know how to respect our treaty with them. That is unfortunate because the government has always been willing to comply with its treaty obligations. Unfortunately, we cannot avoid the processes of the court” Gonzalez said, in an interview.

“But I have to thank Judge Pozon. He should be given a medal of honor. I will recommend him to Speaker Jose de Venecia to give him a congressional medal of distinction,” Gonzalez said, sacrcastically.

Gonzalez said the cancellation of the Balikatan is a “big deal” for the Philippine government because our military troops are getting a lot of good inputs and trainings from these exercises.

Nonetheless, he said, the US should understand that the government cannot dictate on the courts.

“Maybe this is just an early reaction but what is to me the point is that we have no control over the courts. If we have courts decided by judges with certain agenda there is nothing we can do about it,” the DoJ chief stated.

Nicole’s lawyer Evalyn Ursua said the government has nothing to lose with the cancellation of the Balikatan exercises.

“We should not be worried because there is no need for that kind of exercise. We are not at war and we don’t have enemies. If the US feels that the issue on VFA should be resolved first before the Balikatan exercises then so be it,” Ursua said.

On the senators’ part, it is all pressure tactics that are being employed by the US.

Senators made the accusation yesterday in the light of the cancellation by the US government of the joint military Balikatan exercises, a matter which they viewed could only be related to the Smith case.

Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan urged members of the judiciary not to allow the pressure to prevail.

“The decision to cancel the Balikatan exercises is for them (US) to make. It is of interest to note, however, that the rape case arose as a consequence of a past Balikatan exercise and so this should be a welcome development for anti-VFA groups.

“This should not in any way pressure the judiciary to rule in their (US government) favor in the Smith custody case,” Pangilinan said.

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, who defended the VFA during the ratification process at the Senate, said it can easily be deduced that the Smith case is the only reason behind the cancellation of the joint military exercises.

“What could be the more logical reason for this except that Smith case because there is no other prevailing condition here in the country that would warrant such a cancellation.

“We can afford not to have the military component of the Balikatan but it surely will create a major impact when the matter of assistance we have been receiving in terms of logistical needs and the humanitarian aspect of the joint military exercises because they have been helping us reconstruct Mindanao and Bicol,” he said.

Biazon, former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, also said it’s high time that the government considers calling for a review of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), the basis for having the VFA.

“We need to ascertain whether we still need the VFA or not,” he said.

For Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, she said said most of the members of the bicameral Legislative Oversight Committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement (LOVFA) favor custody by US authorities on the ground that under the joint military agreement, custody should be transferred to Philippine authorities only after the Supreme Court appeal has become final and executory.

Santiago, Lovfa chair, said that the custody issue depends on the interpretation of the phrase “completion of all judicial proceedings.”

“It is part of the law of our land that contract obligations should be carried out in good faith. This is the generally accepted principle of international law known as pacta sunt servanda. The trial judge disregarded this particular principle in his decision,” she said. With Sherwin C. Olaes, Angie M. Rosales and AFP

Visiting Forces Agreement
Materials on the Visiting Forces Agreement
Manila Accuses U.S. of ‘Pressure’ Over Jailed Marine
Southeast Asia and the Philippines:The Second Front in the U.S. ‘War on Terror’
Smith returned to custody of US embassy

About 3.3 million households experiencing involuntary hunger

SWS survey: RP hunger at new record-high

Daily Tribune 12/20/2006

A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey yesterday revealed that the proportion of Filipino families experiencing involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months reached a new record-high of 19 percent or an estimated 3.3 million households.

The previous record-high incidence of household hunger was 16.9 percent, reached in both March and September 2006. The SWS said hunger has been at double-digits for the past eleven consecutive quarters, since June 2004.

The SWS survey, conducted from Nov. 24 to 29 also found 52 percent of families reporting themselves as poor in general, and 40 percent reporting themselves as poor in terms of food.

The study added hunger increased especially in Metro Manila and the balance of Luzon, with hunger rising by almost five points in Metro Manila, from 12.8 percent in September to 17.7 percent in November. It rose by three points in the rest of Luzon, from 14.7 percent in September 17.7 percent in November.

Hunger rose by only one point in Mindanao, from 21.3 percent to 22.3 percent. It declined slightly in the Visayas, from 19.7 percent to 19.0 percent.

According to the survey, moderate hunger, defined as households experiencing it involuntarily “only once” or “a few times” in the last three months, rose from 12.3 percent in the previous quarter to a new record-high 15.1 percent, surpassing the previous record of 12.9 percent in August 2005.

On the other hand, severe hunger, defined as households involuntarily hungry “often” or “always” in the last three months, declined somewhat, from 4.6 percent in September to 3.9 percent in November.

Moderate Hunger rose by over 4 points in Metro Manila (from 8.2 percent to 12.7 percent and in the rest of Luzon (from 10.3 percent to 14.7 percent). It rose by less than two points in the Visayas (from 13.7 percent to 15.3 percent) and remained steady at 17.3 percent in Mindanao.

Severe Hunger went up in Metro Manila (from 4.6 percent to 5.0 percent) and in Mindanao (from 4.0 percent to 5.0 percent). But it declined in the balance of Luzon (from 4.3 percent to 3.0 percent) and in the Visayas (from 6.0 percent to 3.7 percent).

The study also revealed that 40 percent of Filipino households consider themselves as poor based on the type of food their family eats. 27 percent put themselves on the borderline and 32 percent consider themselves as not food-poor.

Household heads’ reports about poverty in general, poverty in terms of food, and hunger are internally consistent.

In the survey, the proportion of households experiencing hunger in the past three months is 30 percent among the self-rated food-poor, compared to only 13 percent among the not food-poor and 10 percent among those on the food-borderline.

The survey has hunger at 25 percent among the self-rated poor, compared to only 13 percent among the not poor and 12 percent among those on the borderline.
Indisputable Hunger

Martial Law Declaration: LAWLESS VIOLENCE SCENARIO

President Elpido Quirino suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus to fight the Huks in 1951. The military intelligence arrested 26 persons for complicity with the Huks. Two biggest fish among the arrested newsmen: Jose Lan-sang, executive editor of Philippines Herald, and the Manila Times’s star police reporter, Mucario Vincencio, who has written several articles exposing graft.

I believe that the Arroyo regime is creating a LAWLESS VIOLENCE scenario in order to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus and possible proclamation of martial law. The Arroyo regime declared all-out war with the Left. There’s a pattern in the assassination of Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin, the alleged assassination attempt of Pasig Representative Robert “Dodot” Jaworski Jr and assassination plot against Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles. It’s probably that Rep. Luis Bersamin is a sacrificial lamb to achieve its’ sinister plan.

Ilocos Sur warlord Rep. Floro Crisologo was assassinated on October 18, 1970 inside Vigan St. Paul’s Cathedral. Lawyer Floro Crisologo personally opposed Marcos’ martial law plan. The Plaza Miranda bombing on August 21, 1971 prompted then President Marcos to suspend the writ of habeas corpus hours after the blast at the proclamation rally of the opposition Liberal Party. Gloria Arroyo may declare martial law or suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus intended to eliminate all oppositions, to suppress dissent and civil liberties. First Gentleman Miguel Arroyo filed a series of libel suits against journalists and newspaper publishers.

Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that:
The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress. The Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its Members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President. Upon the initiative of the President, the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.
Proclamation 1081 and Martial Law
Marcos' Martial Law
‘Fake Slay Plot Vs Davao Solon Ushered in Martial Law’
Assassination Plots Set For Martial Law

Time magazine's "Person of the Year" is You

Person of the Year

You

Remembering Diego Silang

DIEGO SILANG
Liberator of the Ilocos

One of Ilocandia’s heroes who played a significant role in the libertarian epic of the Filipino nation was Diego Silang. He led the famous Ilocos Rebellion of 1762, liberated his people from Spanish tyranny, and sacrificed his life for the sake of freedom. His heroic life and exploits are now part and parcel of Ilocandia’s history and legend, reflecting the greatness of the Ilocano people. Truly, as Don Isabelo de los Reyes felicitously commented, he was “one of the most important figures who illumined the annals of the Filipinos.”

Diego Silang the first liberator of the Ilocos, was born in Aringay, La Union, on December 16, 1730, the son of Miguel Silang of Aringay and Nicolasa de los Santos of Vigan. He was baptized in Vigan in January, 1731, his godfather being Tomas Andaya. His baptismal certificate gives his full name as Diego Baltazar Silang y Andaya. Orphaned at an early age, he was taken in by the kindhearted Spanish friar cura of Vigan, who gave him a good education. He grew up to be an adventurous and sturdy youth and, through the influence of his patron, the good padre, he got the job as mail carrier between Vigan and Manila.

One day while on his way to Manila, carrying the mail, the sailboat was wrecked by typhoon off the coast of Bolinao (Zambales). Many passengers were drowned and few who were good swimmers were able to reach the shore alive. The savage Zambals killed the survivors, except Silang whose life was spared because of his youth . For a few months, he lived with the Zambals who became his friends, until he was ransomed by a kind Recollect missionary who returned him to the parish priest of Vigan, Silang’s benefactor.

After his return to Vigan, he resumed his mail-carrying service, making periodic trips to Manila by land or by sea. In the course of these trips, he acquired many friends, Spaniards as well as Filipinos, because of his unusual ability and high intelligence. Historical accounts written by Spanish friars depicted him as a “wise, sagacious, educated, and brave man, speaking excellent Castilian.”

In 1757, at the age of 27, Silang married a rich young widow, Maria Josefa Gabriela, a native of Santa, Ilocos Sur. This widow is a pretty Ilokana of remarkable courage. She proved to be a fitting mate for Silang, who was then rising to prominence in Vigan as the leader of kailanes (peasants) who were deplorably oppressed by the Spanish authorities and their rich mestizo satraps. Having sprung from the lowly masses, Silang naturally sympathized with their cause. Despite his affection and devotion to the kind Spanish padre, he came to hate the bad friars and civil officials who represented Black Spain. It should be noted that during his time, as it was during the time of Dr. Jose Rizal, there were also good friars and honest civil officials but they were rather few in number. These handful of noble-hearted Spaniards represented vanishing white Spain – the glorious Spain of Philip II, Santa Teresa de Avila, El Greco, Lope de Vega, Cervantes, Legaspi, Father Urdaneta, and Bishop Salazar.

The capture of Manila by the British invaders in October, 1762 inspired Silang to petition the Spanish authorities to redress the grievances of his people. Instead of heeding his petition, the corrupt Spanish authorities arrested him on the charge of fomenting sedition. His imprisonment enraged his followers who rose in tumult. Bloshed was averted by Provisor Tomas Millan, a beloved Spaniard, who secured Silang’s release from prison, thereby pacifying the angry Ilokanos.

After regaining his freedom, Silang audaciously submitted the following demands to the Spanish authorities: (1) dismissal of the hated Antonio Zabala as alcalde mayor, (2) appointment of Provisor Millan as his successor, (3) abolition of the obnoxious tribute and force labor, (4) expulsion of the bad Spaniards and mestizos from the Ilocos, and (5) his (Silang’s) appointment as commander of the Filipino army to fight the British invaders. These demands were rejected by the haughty Spanish authorities.

On December 14, 1762, two days before his 32nd birthday, Silang raised the cry of rebellion against Spain. He proclaimed the independence of his people and the government of Free Ilocos. Near the town of Santo Domingo, about ten miles from Vigan, he fought his first battle against the Spanish forces and won. Emboldened by his initial victory, he led his army of Ilokano patriots towards Vigan. Outside the walls of this historic town, he crushed the Spanish troops. After this second victory, he proudly entered Vigan as a conqueror. Bishop Beranrdo Ustariz and the shattered government forces fled across the river and took refuge in the fortified convent of Bantay. Alcalde Mayor Zabala and other Spaniards fled in terror to distant towns.

Silang after resting his army in Vigan, marched towards in Bantay and captured it after a short siege. He was magnanimously spared the lives of the bishop and other friars and permitted them to stay unmolested in the convent. Other towns in Ilocos rose in arms , joining Silang’s libertarian cause. The hated Alcalde Mayor Zabala was taken captive in San Esteban, whiter he had fled. The indignant town folks who have killed him, but Silang came and persuaded them to spare his llife.

Silang was a good ruler as he was energetic militarist. He established his capital in Vigan and his war camp on fortified hill over looking Vigan, which is now known as Pantok ni Silang (Silang Hills). To raise money for his army, he levied contributions from the people on a proportional scale – the rich giving more and the poor, less. In place of the ejected Spanish officials, he appointed Ilokano civil and military officials who were men of merit and well acceptable to the people. He promulgated good laws which were announced in the different towns by public criers. Nhe sent emissaries to Pangasinan, Zambales, and Cagayan urging their people for concerted action against their common enemy – The Spaniards. He was ably assisted by Gabriela, his brave wife; Nicolas Cariño, his uncle and chief lieutenant; Miguel Flores, leader of Tayum; Botargas, leader of Laoag; Benito Estrada, leader of Paoay; and Corcuera, leader of Bacarra.

New’s of Silang successes in the Ilocos reached the British conquerors of Manila. In sore need of his help against Don Simon de Anda, who was upholding Spain’s rule in the provinces around Manila, they solicited his allegiance and friendship. On September 24, 1762, Dawsonne Drake, British Governor of Manila, sent an edict to Silang offering British protection and friendship in exchange for his aid against Spain. Silang astutely accepted British protection because he, on his part, needed foreign assistance in his war against the Spaniards. He had no intention, however, of bartering his people’s freedom for British imperialist rule.

On May 6, 1763, Captain B. Brereton, British naval commander of Cavite, sent a letter to Silang, addressed: “To Don Diego Silang, Alcalde Mayor and War-captain for His Majesty in the Province of Ylocos.” Full text of his historic letter is as follows:

My Dear Sir:
Yesterday the governor [Dawsonne Drake - Z] handed me the letter which you Grace was pleased to send him, in which your Grace promises to be loyal to sacred Majesty, the king of Gran Bretaña, my master. You may believe me, Don Diego, that your letter gave me special pleasureand great joy – so much so that I resolved to send you one oh his Majesty’s ships under my command, in order to assure your Grace of my protection and aid in the name of my master, against the common enemy, España. I have been very sensible of the many injuries which your Grace has suffered under the tyrannical government of the Spaniards; but I am very pleased to know that your Grace has opened to your eyes; and that your Grace will strengthen and encourage your people to humiliate the sovereignty of so cruel a nation…………….

The Admiral [Samuel Cornish – Z] went with the greater part of the squadron to protect the dominions along the coast and Yndia. He has left me particular instructions to cultivate the harmonious relations and friendship with the Province of Ylocos and the other nations of the north. I am sorry that I have not paid your Grace a visit, but important business has prevented me. However, your Grace can rest assured that I shall be most vigilant in extending help to you.

In a short time, your Grace will have troops and war supplies. This dispatch is to assure your Grace of our friendship and my satisfaction at receiving your letter, and because of your loyalty. In order that your Grace may communicate it to all the people, especially to those under your command, I am sending your Grace a small bronze cannon in token of affection.

I hope that the provinces of Pangasinan and Cagayan will soon follow your worthy example and tear off the chains of Spanish slavery.

I am also sending your Grace the edict published by the two leaders of sea and land [Admiral Cornish and General William Draper – Z], when we conquered our enemy. For my part, I assure you that I shall religiously observed it, and I invite you when time permits, to despatch your boats to this capital where they will be welcomed for their trade. The bearer of this letter is a captain in his Britannic majesty’s service, and he will inform your Grace of particulars. Hence, I shall not cease to beseech God, our Lord, to preserve your Grace for many years.

The Spaniards authorities were worried because Silang would become more powerful with British aid. Being unable to crush him by force of arms, they resorted to liquidate him by assassination. It was their belief by killing Silang, the guiding genius of Yloko independence, the rebellion in Ilocandia would inevitably collapse. Accordingly Bishop Ustariz and his henchmen hatched a dastard plot to assassinate Silang. A mestizo friend of the hero named Miguel Vicos wa choosen to be the assassin. He was to be assisted in the evid deed by Pedro Buecbuec (Becbec in Spanish accounts).

After receiving the blessings of Bishop Ustariz at the convent of Bantay, Vicos and Buecbuec ascended the hill (Pandok ni Silang). They were able to enter the camp because the captain of the guards knew them to be friends of Silang. At that time Silang was inspecting the battery of the fort. On seeing his approaching friends, he welcomed them and conversed with them. During the conversation Vicos adroitly stepped behind Silang and shot him in the back. Mortally wounded, the hero fell on the ground, exclaiming to his wife who was in a nearby barrack: “Matayakon, Maria!” (I am dying, Maria).

The courage wife rushed to his side, and he expired in her arms. Thus the heroic Silang died on May 28, 1763, at the age of 33. to avenge him, his valiant widow carried on the libertarian struggle until she, too lost her life for the sake of freedom on September 30, 1763.

Years later the Spanish authorities, to glorify Vicos the Assassin, erecbted a monument in his honor beside the presidencia (municipal building) of Bantay. It was in the form of a monolith of brick with the figure of a dog on top and contained the dedicatory inscription. “In honor of Miguel Vicos, a Spanish mestizo, for having shot and killed the seditious traitor Diego Silang in the year 1763, after having invoked the blessings of the Holy Virgin of his deed.” The dog of the monolith represented the “fidelity” of Vicos to Spain.

In the year 1914, when Don Juan Villamor, a veteran of the Philippine Revolution, became provincial governor of Ilocos Sur, he ordered the removal of the dog on top of the monolith and replaced the Vicos Inscription with another honoring Diego Silang.

Later, 1931, the municipal officials of Bantay, for some strange reason, caused the erection of another monument honoring Vicos in front of the municipal building. As the construction was going on, a civic-spirited citizen, Mr. Teodoro Purugganan, called the attention of the Governor Alejandro Quirolgico as to such an unpatriotic project which would glorify a hero’s murderer. Thanks to his patriotic zeal, the Vicos monument was abandoned. Mr. Purugganan also spearheaded the building of the Diego Silang Elementary School between the barrios of Pospos and Aggay in Bantay. Later, when he was elected councilor of Vigan. He sponsored the naming of one of the town streets in honor of Diego Silang. Full Text From Ilocos Sur Province Website

Diego Silang
Revolutionary War in the Ilocos

AFP Officers Decry Prostitution Of Military

When is the right time to move General? The longer bogus President Gloria Arroyo stays in power it adds more sufferings of the Filipino people. She is a total failure after more than five years of mismanagement. The corruption issues in the military and the bureaucracy are still rampant. The public resistance and anger against fraudulent Arroyo- De Venecia’s Constituent Assembly is a residual effect of massive cheating in the 2004 presidential election. This is the reason why the Arroyo regime is pushing hard a charter change to remain in power beyond 2010 and escape impeachment and possible conviction in the Senate. The Hello Garci electoral fraud and its subsequent cover-ups still unanswered. The resignation of illegitimate Pres. Gloria Arroyo and Vice-Pres. Noli De Castro will pave way for snap election. The Filipino people deserve a better government and new leadership.



AFP officers decry prostitution of military

Daily Tribune 12/16/2006

Military officers and their men are increasingly getting too restive as they want an end to the prostitution of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), an institution they said is their “First wife,” as even their own wives and children come second, in their line of work.

This was disclosed yesterday to the Tribune by two high-ranking military officers, a general in the active service and a colonel, both of whom asked for anonymity, saying they would get themselves and their men into trouble if their identities were disclosed.

In an interview with the Tribune yesterday, the higher-ranking military officer said “the soldiers in the AFP are now very aware of the ‘anger’ of the people against the Arroyo administration,” adding that given the “right spark,” they may all turn against the Arroyo regime to cause its collapse.

“Like the Filipino people who have reached the end of their rope, the soldiers also are nearing the end of their rope,” he said, pointing out that “they (officers) feel that there can be no hope for the changes the men in the AFP want done, but not under the present government” since they have seen just how President Arroyo, their Commander-in-Chief, has so “debased” the military institution by “making the military top leaders cheat for her” during the 2004 elections.

His officer, who was with him, confirmed this, saying the AFP officers and men whose “conscience has been bothering them” have gone into analyzing the reasons behind the outrage of the Filipino people today and

said they have concluded that it is not Charter change (Cha-cha) that has angered them, but the many times the Arroyo regime has tried to cover up for the alleged crimes of the President.

“They now know that she must go, because she will have to continue covering up all those crimes, and will commit more crimes in doing so,” the officer disclosed, adding “that this all stems from her having cheated her way to win the elections.

“When military officers, troubled by their conscience, wanted to speak up on the cheating before the Senate, she quickly came up with her EO 464 to gag the Senate and punish the soldiers who wanted to bring out the truth, but everybody in the military knows the truth of her bogus presidency. They even know the identities of the officers who were actively cheating for her; who distributed money to several politicians and election officers and who gave the orders to cheat for her,” he said, stressing that the order was done in a “chain of command” style.

He also said that public funds, such as the fertilizer funds went to politicians and the election officers to make sure that she wins the presidency. “When this was discovered, she again quickly covered it up by stonewalling the Senate investigations and doing nothing to get (former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn) Joc-Joc Bolante to talk. She was protecting him to protect herself,” the source stressed.

“And look who she is punishing! Those who were doing the right thing. Those who love the AFP as their First Wife. Those who try to right a wrong, while those who obeyed illegal orders; those who cheated for her; those who cover up for her, are rewarded,” the sources said.

They added that the soldiers have been confused for a long time, but that they are now, like the Filipino people, waking up to the truth of the problems stemming from her bogus presidency.

“She (Mrs. Arroyo) is like a cancer. It is not the Constitution that must be excised. The cancer (that is Mrs. Arroyo) must be excised, if we are to be healed as a military force and as a people. “She (Mrs. Arroyo) must go.

The general also noted that Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim analyzed the problem well when he zeroed in on Mrs. Arroyo as a bogus president. “It is difficult for the soldiers to keep on obeying orders that are patently illegal, and worse, coming from an illegitimate president,” he pointed out, saying all the problems with the nation and the military began when Mrs. Arroyo grabbed power unconstitutionally.

Because the military installed her to power and cheated for her in the polls, he said the President constantly keeps on bribing them with positions even when they do not deserve them.

(Former President Ferdinand) Marcos may have been hated by the Filipino people, but he never asked the military to cheat for him. This commander in chief (Mrs. Arroyo) did,” he said.

It was the top ranking military leaders, he said, who were distributing the money to their officers in the field who then also distributed the funds to the politicians, Commission on Elections (Comelec) operators and officers, with the orders for them to alter and pad Mrs. Arroyo’s votes to ensure her victory.

“The soldiers who were used by this administration to cheat for her (Mrs. Arroyo) could no longer stomach the way they were being ordered to commit illegal acts and to go against the Constitution and started their ‘soul-searching’ on this issue,” the military source noted, saying that when the tapped conversations between the President and then Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano surfaced and an investigation was called, “many volunteered to testify and tell the truth to (then AFP Inspector-General Mateo Mayuga), but none of them were ever interviewed.”

He also rued the conduct of Mayuga, who had recently retired as Navy chief. “He (Mayuga) even told his people that he ‘will never disclose what the real story of the military officers’ involvement is, as he vowed to bring the Mayuga report to his grave.’ Sayang (a pity). What a waste of one could have become a good officer,” he said.

The source also said the officers and men who still love the institution, are also “watching and waiting” while they continue to witness for themselves the way the officers are being debased by the military leadership.

He cited the example of Capt. Langkit, who is in solitary confinement and only because, he said, AFP chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr., through his men, has been trying to coerce him into turning state witness and lie about his comrades actions, especially on the Marines stand-off in Fort Bonifacio.

“He (Langkit) was brought to Tanay blindfolded and handcuffed and kept in solitary confinement. We saw how thin he had become and how (physically) weak he was, but when he emerged for the hearing, he said, like a true soldier: “I may be physically weak but my spirit is still fighting for what is right.’ This kept our spirits up. We still have, as the movie title goes, ‘A Few Good Men,” the military said.

“Why they think they (Mrs. Arroyo and her her military generals) can cover up their crimes by rewarding those who cheated for her, and have been covering up for her all this time is laughable. The soldiers are not robots kept unaware of the goings-on. We read the newspapers. We listen to radio and watch TV. We all know what is going on and see what is happening to out beloved country, and our beloved AFP. We know what the problems are, and it is not whether we should Cha-cha or not. Cha-cha, whether this is shelved or whether this pushes through, will not solve the big problems facing all the Filipinos.

“At the right time, our First Wife will move, and do what needs to be done,” the general said. NCO
Footnotes To A Mutiny
THE TRILLANES PAPERS

Novaliches Bishop Calls On Military To Defend, Protect Charter

The House of Representatives’ scrapping of Arroyo-DE Venecia fraudulent Constituent Assembly to revise the 1987 Philippine Constitution is considered as a “ceremonial act of surrender” since it’s already rejected by majority of the Filipino people. The House resolution no. 1450 is piece of SCRAP paper and its sub-product SHIT. It’s done hastily, undemocratic, unlawful and unconstitutional. The perfect political storm is growing stronger by the day until the ouster of corrupt and abusive Gloria Arroyo regime. Military intervention is the right thing to do at this point in time. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has a constitutional mandate as the protector of the people and the State. Gloria Arroyo is a total failure. It’s about time for a change.

Day of reckoning


Tobias urges duty-bound soldiers to support mass actions

Bishop calls on military to defend, protect Charter

By Marie A. Surbano

Daily Tribune 12/12/2006

A bishop started the political-moral ball rolling as he flung the first challenge to the Philippine soldiery to defend the Constitution that he said is today under attack by the Arroyo government.

Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias, an outspoken senior bishop-critic of President Arroyo and her administration, yesterday openly called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to perform its bounden duty to defend the Constitution and protect the Filipino people from the machinations of Mrs. Arroyo and her allies in the House of Representatives in their multiple immoral plots to amend the Charter and thereby ensure that their selfish vested interests would be protected.

“The soldiers, the Armed Forces, are sworn to protect the people and to defend the Constitution,” the bishop said, justifying his call as legal and constitutional, stressing that “Today, the Constitution is being ravaged in the interest of private individuals. We should be dependent on this (constitutional duty of the AFP to correct this wrong) and I ask them (military) to help the people,” the Novaliches bishop told reporters during a press briefing yesterday

after the Mass held at the St. Peter’s Parish in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.

Tobias, a known critic of the Arroyo government, pointed out that the soldiers are constitutionally sworn to protect the Charter and therefore, as it is now under attack, they should now show that support to the mass actions being organized by no less than the majority of the Filipinos who oppose Charter change (Cha-cha).

It is the same constitutional proviso that then Vice President Arroyo and her elite group that grabbed power from then sitting President Joseph Estrada in January 2001, used to justify the military withdrawal of support by then AFP chief of staff ( Ret.) Gen. Angelo Reyes and his service commanders, which the Supreme Court, then headed by Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., did not rule as unconstitutional, in legitimizing the Arroyo coup d’etat.

“I expect the soldiers to at least express support to the mass actions taking place now,” he said stressing that he is not urging them to be divided but to be united in defending the 19- year old Charter which congressional allies of the President want to dispose of, while ushering a new one that would effect a shift from the presidential system with a bicameral Congress to the parliamentary system with a unicameral congress through the railroading of the Constituent Assembly (Con-ass), as displayed by the House majority last week.

The bishop also voiced his disappointment with the manner by which the administration lawmakers are now pushing the Constitutional Convention (Con-con) which the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) had earlier declared to be the preferred mode of Charter change.

“I couldn’t believe that our congressmen would stoop to that level. I regard them highly because before I had relatives who were in Congress and they are really good persons,” Tobias said.

Tobias was also pointed to by a former Oakwood Mutiny core leader as having given the then rebel officer, Lt. Lawrence San Juan, who has since sworn allegiance to Mrs. Arroyo, safe haven by hiding him in several safehouses of the bishop.

Despite the sworn affidavit of San Juan pointing to Tobias as the bishop who had given him refuge, intimating that the bishop was part of the alleged coup d’etat then being allegedly planned by the rebel soldiers, the Department of Justice, however, never included him in the list of persons being charged for rebellion and coup d’etat.

The Novaliches bishop is convinced that the shift from Con-ass to Con-con is yet another ploy of the Arroyo government, and he appealed to the public to be more vigilant.

“Vigilance. This is what I am asking our people,” he stressed.

Tobias also rejects the claim that the President has nothing to do with the shift from the Con-ass to the Con-con, saying: “Let’s put it this way, this is one means to shelter President Arroyo from the things that are happening. But it is she who started all this (Cha-cha moves), the reason we are divided and the reason there is infighting”.

Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, spokesman for the CBCP meantime said the slated Dec. 15 prayer rally to be led by bishops has been moved to Dec. 17 with the participation of other religious leaders and groups.

“Someone has been placed in charge of contacting the others to inform them of the change of schedule. It will be an ecumenical prayer rally,” Quitorio said, adding that the venue would still be held in Luneta at 7pm.

Quitorio also said the CBCP has not bothered to check with the Manila authorities if if Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.) had already booked two months ago the venue where the CBCP had intended to hold the prayer march.

In Baguio City, a priest said the rally there will have at least 100,000 people joining, to express their indignation over the manner Cha-cha is being forced upon the people by Mrs. Arroyo and her allies.

Also in his homily, Tobias asked the public to unite in rejecting any plans to amend the Charter through Con-ass or the new strategy of the Arroyo allies.

“We should be one voice in saying tama na yan! (Enough is enough!),” the prelate said noting that the people should not be afraid to join mass actions since this would be for the betterment of the country.

“Let us not be afraid to join this massive mass action. Adventurism is done too for changing the Charter,” he declared.

For the United Opposition (UNO), it is calling for the resignation of Mrs. Arroyo and her allies in the House or the alternative, snap elections.

Uno, in a press statement quoting its president, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, said:”First, the postponement of the Asean summit in Cebu. Then, the backing off by the House from its Con-ass plan. These two hasty retreats, coming as they did in quick succession, is a clear indication that GMA and her administration allies realize that they no longer enjoy any kind of mandate or support from the majority of the Filipino people.

“These should be more than enough reason now for the President and the majority congressmen to resign their positions. However, should they ignore this, as it is to be expected, Binay said a snap election for President can be held to coincide with the May 2007 polls. In that manner, it should not entail any considerable additional expense,” he said.

Binay also said that the House has not really officially and formally canceled Con-ass. He also cited the turnaround of some members of the House majority in the Con-ass issue as another indication of the lack of popular support for it.

“The House leadership can deny this all they want, or give all sorts of explanations for it, but the fact remains that the House majority has developed major cracks within its ranks and is about ready to disintegrate,” Binay said.

Protest movements previously planned will still go on. A rally will push through as scheduled today at the Batasan, to be participated in by several multi-sectoral people’s organizations. The CBCP-led inter-faith assembly, Binay announced.

House Deputy Minority leader and partylist Rep. Satur Ocampo (Bayan Muna) urged the public to maintain war footing as long as Speaker Jose de Venecia and his allies refuse to drop the adopted house resolution that calls for the convening of the Con-ass to pave the way for Cha-cha.

Ocampo and other members of the opposition including some members of the Liberal Party urged the Speaker and the majority to finally drop House Resolution 197 which the majority adopted Thursday morning last week.

“The imperative now is for Speaker Jose de Venecia and other surrogates of President Arroyo to formally withdraw House Resolution 197 immediately and without any preconditions,” said Ocampo.

The minorioty bloc also sought the restoration of the deletion of the House rule which was railroaded by the majority.

The House with a vote of 161-25, amended Section 105 of the House rules, which provide for the swift deliberations of the measure without going through the normal process of committee hearings and plenary approvals.

The Speaker Saturday said the House majority is deferring Con-ass following continued calls from various sectors including the Catholic Church and the El Shaddai not to push Cha-cha via Con-ass while giving the Senate 72 hours from yesterday to call for a Con-con election.

House minority leader Francis Escudero, during a press conference, said the opposition and the LP identified with Senator Franklin Drilon would not heed the deadline set by the Speaker for the House and the Senate to agree on a resolution calling for a ConCon.

Oher opposition members said a mere announcement of the Speaker that they are deferring Con-ass was a ploy, and for them to show their sincerity, they should now withdraw the resolution.

Escudero said to be able to withdraw the resolution and restore the amendment in the rules, the move should be initiated by the 161 members of the majority that approved the two resolutions.
With Dona Policar
ConAss fallout widens as junior officers warn Arroyo regime

DOJ warns govt staff to keep out of protests

Arroyo allies retreat

De Venecia's Trojan Horse: Constitutional Convention

These shameless pigs think that they can fool the Filipino people all the time. Con-Con offer is just a face saving scheme. Jose De Venecia and his gang have no position to give an ultimatum. They are on the losing side. Politically defeated aggressor cannot make demands. De Venecia’s 72 hours deadline to the Senate to act on Constitutional Convention is just a hot air. Losers do not make demands.

The only way to diffuse political tension is the ouster of illegitimate President Gloria Arroyo. The volcano is ready to explode anytime. Charter change is a monster of her creation with hidden agenda. JDV and his gang are offering a Trojan Horse-Constitutional Convention. Gloria Arroyo can buy and influence the election of ConCon delegates. Three termed congressional lapdogs can run for ConCon delegates funded by Malacanang Palace. There are billions of pesos pork barrel funds under her disposal. What the difference between the two modes? It’s the same dog with different collar.
Gloria Arroyo’s Charter change has no solid foundation; it’s filled with deceit and greedy intentions. The legitimacy of GMA presidency keeps on haunting her. These shameless pigs are trapped in a quicksand. The wrath of the Filipino people will bury them alive on their sinkholes. Only time can tell.



GMA still hot on Con-ass, denies abandonment on Cha-cha

CBCP, Shaddai lose Luneta, but rally gets green light

Daily Tribune 12/11/2006

Even as the majority congressmen temporarily shelved their proposal to change the Charter through the Constituent Assembly (Con-ass) and called for a Constitutional Convention with the Con-con candidates to be elected simultaneously with the senators, congressmen and local officials, the

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), along with the El Shaddai flock, is not abandoning its massive prayer rally.

This decision was made despite a news report in a major daily that President Arroyo had ordered her allies in the House, led by Speaker Jose de Venecia, to drop Con-ass, quoting chief presidential aide Eduardo Ermita.

The decision to mount the prayer rally by the bishops and the El Shaddai, along with the Jesus is Lord ministry and the political opposition was made clear by Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, spokesman for the CBCP, as well as Bishop Teodoro Bacani, spiritual adviser of the El Shaddai Charismatic Movement led by TV evangelist Mike Velarde.

Ermita yesterday denied he had told the media that the President had ordered her allies in the House of Representatives to drop the Con-ass, saying Mrs. Arroyo continues to be firm in her position to change the Charter to bring about political reforms.

At the same time, Malacanang moved quickly to prevent the bishops from staging a massive rally, as it was recently discovered by the CBCP that Luneta, the site chosen for the prayer rally for Dec. 15 has been reserved for Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Games Corp.), a development which perplexed Quitorio, who wondered what activity Pagcor had scheduled on that date, and why it needed such a vast expanse for its activity.

But this development failed to dampen the CBCP’s resolve to stage the prayer-rally, with its spokesman saying that even as the bishops had been informed that Pagcor already reserved the venue two months ago” and even as the venue is no longer available to them, he stressed that they will carry on with the prayer rally since these protest action will not only take place in Manila but in the whole country.

“All dioceses nationwide have prepared for these (rallies),” Quitorio said.

It is likely that the protest action in Manila will take place in Liwasang Bonifacio, although Quitoro said there are also other possible venues in Manila and in Quezon City where they could hold the prayer rally.

“While this is not really a planned action because this prayer rally was a spur of the moment (act) following the developments in Congress, what I personally want to know is if this is just being done to prevent us from pushing through with the prayer march,” Quiorio said.

He said the committee tasked to organize the event has called for a meeting to discuss the bishops’ possible actions and options available.

The police force that served as a security forces for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Cebu, which was canceled, was yesterday reduced drastically, and sent back to Manila, purportedly to form part of the anti-riot police force against the rallyists.

Already, Malacañang yesterday warned the bishops to abide by the law in their planned mass rally next week.

In a phone interview, Executive Secretary Ermita said the Palace will not stop the rally organized by the CBCP as long as it remains peaceful.

“Our reminder to our good bishops is that everyone has free space to observe the democratic practices as long as they will not go out of the bounds of the law,” he said.

Ermita said the President respects the decision of the Church to stage rallies and that she does not intend to question its moves but bishops have to abide by the rules set up by the local government such as securing permits for the planned gathering.

“We cannot stop them if they plan to hold mass rally. What’s important is that they abide by the rules of the local government as well as the Philippine National Police on a peaceful conduct of such rally,” he said.

Ermita said the Chief Executive has already given marching orders to the police assigned in the National Capital Region to prepare themselves for the rallies.

Ermita also laughed off the threat issued Saturday by Kawal Pilipino, a reformist group of junior officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines on thier seeing a “constitutional coup” if Mrs. Arroyo’s administration would harm protesters who would march against the proposed constitutional assembly.

Ermita said the group was indulging in dreams.”That’s wishful thing. That’s not going to happen. Well they (Kawal Pilipino) may attempt (to stage one) but whether they have the capability to be followed by the majority of the Filipino people, I think that’s not going to happen.

He however, admitted that he is certain the the group is being closely monitored.

“I’m very sure that there is a coverage on these people. Of course our intelligence authorities know what they (Kawal Pilipino) are doing,” he said.

He took issue however with the statement warning the Palace against harming the demonstrators.

“Why are we going to hurt them (rallyists)? If they have secured a permit to conduct a rally in a specific place that would be honored by the law enforcers. We would not hurt them. Our police and military would not take drastic action if there is no provocation...I think it is uncalled for,” he said.

Meanwhile, clashes within Mrs. Arroyo’s inner circle sparked with the Executive Secretary yesterday issuing a strong denial that he had said the President ordered her House allies to abandon the Con-ass of Speaker Jose de Venecia.

An irked Ermita yesterday denied the reported quote attributed to him, saying the President supports Cha-cha but stressed that she has never interfered in the internal affairs of the House.

This was claimed even as House caucuses on Con-ass were held in Malacañang and even as it is common knowledge that Mrs. Arroyo certainly is into the thick of Cha-cha, whether through the People’s Initiative or the House’s one-chamber Con-ass.

“On reports that I had mentioned that the President ordered Congress to back off from Con-ass, that is not true. I can say categorically I’m a little displeased,” he said.

Ermita’s reaction came after Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor reportedly issued a statement saying the Executive Secretary has instructed presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio upon the orders of the Mrs. Arroyo that they are dropping Con-ass, purportedly due to pressure from religious groups.

Ermita said he had not talked with Defensor but that he had already conveyed his irritation on the issue with the President, also with Claudio and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye.

“The President was surprised, she never thought of me coming out with such a statement because Malacañang is a separate branch of government and our President never interfered in the internal affairs of the Lower House... its good that she heard me and that I told her personally that I never said that,” Ermita said.

Reporters had tried to reach Defensor for comment on the issue but he refused to answer phone calls.

Ermita added that even with Mrs. Arroyo as head of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), she had not given directives either way to her partymates to follow certain mode for Charter change.

Well-placed sources within Malacañang believe Mrs. Arroyo attempted to play two sides of the coin, but backed off again as she was concerned over De Venecia and his allies in Congress withdrawing their support from her in many other ways, such as giving in to resolutions from the political opposition that would hold hearings on several scandals in her government.

“The President it appears does not intend to abandon Con-ass... that’s why her House allies through House Speaker Jose De Venecia had issued an ultimatum with the Senate to approve a resolution to convene constitutional convention (ConCon) within 74 hours, if not they (House) would go back to Con-ass... it’s a ploy intended to pressure the Senate,” he said.

The source said this is the reason Mrs. Arroyo had no stand on the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines plan to the file second motion for reconsideration before the Supreme Court to revive people’s initiative petition, under the new SC Chief Justice Renato Puno.

For his part, Claudio in a text message also stressed that Mrs. Arroyo never interfered with nor influenced the decision of the House to offer Con-con as an alternative to con-ass.

“There were no orders or pressure from Malacañang. The President had always been firm and consistent with her support for Charter reforms and the need to shift to a unicameral parliamentary system, but she made it clear during her caucuses with the members that she would leave to Congress the methods and processes for achieving that goal,” he said.

Bunye also said Charter change remains one of the administration’s key parliament agenda that has acquired a life of its own in the national consciousness.

“This administration will pursue the high cause because it is the right thing to do for the public interest as it will do away with a degenerated system and help build a new Philippines,” the presidential spokesman said. With Sherwin C. Olaes and Marie A. Surbano

Rallies a ‘go’ till Cha-cha
is buried
Perfect Storm
Outrage vs. Con-Ass won’t die down
CPP condemns Arroyo-De Venecia blackmail to push "Cha-cha"
Kawal Pilipino Warning
Ateneo students and faculty blast away at the Con-Ass with a noise barrage

Mt. Mayon Mudslides 1,000+ Buried Alive

The Filipinos must demand blood if these sabo projects and early warning and evacuation system was not implemented by corrupt Arroyo administration. Gloria Arroyo is may be partly responsible for the landslide deaths due to her incompetence and too much politicking. These shameless Mt. Mayon disaster area congressmen should use their pork barrel funds in life saving and prevention projects.

EXCERPTS: NEDA MEDIUM-TERM DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2001-2004

Implement sabo projects for the prevention/mitigation of sediment-related disasters, debris and lahar flow/landslide;

Serious and often destructive sediment movement due to landslides, debris flows and river bed deformations remarkably increase damages to lives, properties, infrastructure, etc. Sediment control measures are continuously being pursued, especially within the Mt. Pinatubo and Mt. Mayon influence areas. However, the structures implemented are still wanting in terms of adequacy. As economic activity tends to extend towards the mountain slope areas, sediment-related disasters are likely to frequently occur. The need, therefore, to implement prevention works in disaster-prone areas is recognized for sustainable economic development. These prevention works consist of structural and nonstructural measures such as warning and evacuation system, land use regulation, and disaster preparedness programs.

DPWH, Phivolcs blamed for deaths

RP’s rising poverty ensures disasters’ repeat — analyst

Daily Tribune 12/03/2006

Devastation of the Philippines’ southern Bicol Region wrought by “Reming,” dubbed as a super typhoon by meteorologists, will not be the last that Filipinos will see in their lifetime.

Analysts yesterday said the country’s natural proneness to disasters is made steadily worse not only by rising poverty but also climate change.

In a country such as the Philippines where more than 50 percent of the population are living on less than two dollars a day, the analysts noted, the human cost of such disasters is enormous.

Despite repeated disasters, they said, many Filipinos are too poor to leave dangerous areas.

Philippine Sen. Richard Gordon, who also heads his country’s

Red Cross, for his part, also yesterday said, unless the cycle of poverty is tackled, “these disasters will just go on repeating themselves.”

Some 30,000 residents fled areas near Mayon Volcano in the Bicol Region’s Albay province when it started rumbling in August this year only to return when the activity subsided.

But this week, typhoon-triggered mudslides swept hundreds of these people to their deaths.

Philippine authorities also yesterday said at least 469 persons were dead or missing after rivers of mud and volcanic ash triggered by Reming (international code name: “Durian”) swamped villages, mainly in the Bicol Region.

According to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), the victims were all in the region, which bore the full brunt of the storm the other day.

All the deaths were around Mayon Volcano where mud and ash flows driven by torrential rain overran the villages last Thursday night.

The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) earlier reported 388 confirmed dead and 96 missing but yesterday it revised the total down to 134 dead and 159 missing.

The PNRC, however, said it is investigating reports of another 200 dead in a village on the slopes of the volcano.

Roger-Mark De Souza of the Washington-based Population Reference Bureau said the danger from natural disasters in the Philippines has risen markedly in recent years.

“The risk to human life from natural disasters in the Philippines has increased dramatically over the past generation,” De Souza said in a recent report.

“From 1971 to 2000, natural disasters killed 34,000 people but from 1990 to 2000, natural disasters killed or disrupted the lives of 35 million people,” the report said.

Each year, an average of 20 tropical storms sweep in from the Pacific, hammering the central or northern islands of the country.

Sitting on the edge of the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” the Philippines, a Southeast Asian archipelago, is also vulnerable to earthquakes, at least six a day, and volcanic eruptions from its 18 active volcanoes.

It all makes for a deadly mix, according to the International Red Cross, making the Philippines one of the most disaster-prone countries on earth.

Leoncio Amadore, one of the country’s foremost meteorologists, believes that climate change is also contributing to the severity of the typhoons now hitting the Philippines.

“The combination of strong typhoons, excessive rain and landslides has caused a great deal of death and destruction in the Philippines,” Amadore said.

“If we do not act urgently, climate change will further intensify the severity of extreme weather events,” he added.

Rescuers also yesterday arrived in devastated Legazpi City, provincial capital of Albay as officials warned there would be few survivors from the giant mudslides that swept away entire villages, killing hundreds.

Military and civilian emergency workers delayed by Reming, which triggered the mudflows, flew in at first light with the toll already at 469 dead or missing.

As they made their way to Mayon olcano, where rivers of mud and ash meters high obliterated whole communities, officials were pessimistic about finding people alive and appealed for body bags and doctors.

Along the road from Legazpi City to the town of Guinobatan, a quiet procession of poor men, women and children clutching whatever they could salvage walked toward the city hoping to find shelter and food.

Cedric Daep, head of the Provincial Disaster Control Council, said it would be a case of digging bodies from the mud than rescuing survivors.

“There are possibly dozens or hundreds (of bodies) to be recovered,” Daep told Agence France-Presse.

He said floodwaters had risen so rapidly many people simply did not have time to get out of their houses.

The rescuers were greeted by appalling scenes as they arrived on a Philippine Air Force C-130 transport aircraft at dawn.

Many buildings in Legazpi City were damaged or demolished while the villages on the slopes of the volcano had been reduced to just a few sticks protruding from the mud.

Residents using shovels and makeshift equipment were digging out bodies and covering them with plastic as grieving relatives wept as they tried to identify mangled corpses.

The mudslides triggered by rain reached as high as rooftops when they poured down from the volcano, around 350 km southeast of Manila.

Daep said it was difficult to give an accurate death toll due to communication problems in the remote disaster areas.

An earlier death toll of 388 was revised to 149 dead and 294 missing but officials said they were still looking at a higher death toll in two villages that had been “totally wiped off the map.”

The head of forecasting for the government weather station, Nathaniel Cruz, said the government had fully warned the public of the danger posed by the approaching Reming three days before the storm hit.

But Cruz added he was unsure why precautionary measures were not taken in the region.

“Did the information really reach those at the grassroot level?” he asked.

Condolences began arriving from around the world, with Pope Benedict XVI saying he was “deeply saddened” by the deaths.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Spanish government expressed their sympathy to President Arroyo over the human toll of the disaster.

Canada announced that it was donating $1 billion Canadian (US$877,200) for relief efforts.

in a special message to Mrs. Arroyo, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said he is “deeply shocked to hear the sad news of the tragic loss of precious life and devastation of property” caused by Reming.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also expressed his condolences to the Philippine President over the deaths and devastation.

Tokyo has decided to send about 20 million yen (US$173,000) of emergency supplies, including tents and blankets, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Commercial flights began operating into Legazpi City while much of the region is still without power and communications.

The Philippines is also recovering from the impact of Typhoon “Milenyo (international code name: “Xangsane”), the strongest cyclone to hit the nation in more than 10 years, which left 38 dead or missing in late October.

Typhoon “Queenie” (international code name: “Chevi”) caused widespread damage and cut off electricity in many parts of Manila in September, leaving 200 persons dead across the country.

For all the stark images from the devastation wrought by Reming, the scenes were troublingly familiar.

On the eastern island of Southern Leyte in the Philippines’ Visayas Region earlier this year, 1,800 were killed when a mudslide caused by heavy rains obliterated the farming community of Guinsaugon.

The International Red Cross has estimated that some 5.9 million Filipinos were killed or injured as a result of natural or man-made calamities in the 10 years to 2001.

In its 2005 Disaster report, it said the impact of natural disasters “aggravate pre-existing poverty, creating a downward spiral of vulnerability, arresting development.” AFP and Gina Peralta-Elorde

Bigger Disasters Coming, Environmental Groups Warn
Geographically doomed, hobbled by poverty, Philippines buffeted by regular storms
Durian's aftermath: disease threatens homeless Philippine families

Charter Change: Fraudulent Constituent Assembly

The Philippines notorious political con artists Gloria Arroyo and Jose De Venecia wants to impose half-baked Philippine constitution to what the acting majority leader Arthur Defensor said was a motion on a matter moris an insult to 80 millions Filipinos. The out-numbered minority members in the lower house cannot stop Malcananang evil forces. Military intervention with the support of patriotic citizens can neutralize these shameful bloodsuckers. REVOLUTION is the answer to fraudulent Arroyo-De Venecia constitution!

When is the right time to call for military intervention? It’s now or never! Calling for military action to stop Arroyo-De Venecia madness to trample the existing constitution is within the bound of law. Fake president Gloria Arroyo is not the State including the shameless congressmen. These greedy traitors want to force a fraudulent charter without public scrutiny and debate. The constitution is the basic law of the land. What happens if the proposed constitution is half-baked or half-cooked? The Filipino people will definitely in the polls. It’s just a waste of time and taxpayers money.

Philippine Constitution 1987
The declaration of principles and state policies principles
Section 3.
Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.

Millions of warm bodies is not enough to oust the corrupt Arroyo regime. EDSA Tres as a very large protest rally that was sparked by the arrest in April 2001 of newly ousted President Joseph Estrada. The mass protest rally was held for several days in a major highway in Manila and Malacanang Palace. The protest was led by members of the political opposition Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Miriam Defensor Santiago and Vicente Sotto III. Why EDSA Tres was not successful uprising? The military and the police force sided with Gloria Arroyo. Military intervention is a key factor in a successful people power revolt in the Philippines.


The worst is yet to come

The latest version of Malacañang’s charter change via a Senate-less Con-Ass shows the depth of the desperation of Gloria Arroyo and her cohorts.

When I say cohorts, that includes House Speaker Jose de Venecia and his dishonorable gang.

In a text statement, Rep. Roilo Golez (Parañaque) yesterday said: "Last night, I witnessed one of the saddest and most saddening episodes in the history of the House (of Representatives.)

"Akbayan Rep. Mario Aguja was delivering a privilege speech on the impending water crisis when his speech and interpellation was unceremoniously terminated to give way important than the water crisis.

"It turned out that Defensor’s motion was to amend Section 105 of the House Rules stating that resolutions to amend or revise the Constitution ‘shall follow the procedure for the enactment of bills.’ Defensor’s motion was to scrap that procedure to allow a constitutional amendment procedure without participation of the Senate.

"It showed utter insensitivity and apathy to the water crisis now facing the nation, especially Metro Manila. And it was a below the belt motion because it constituted changing the rules in the middle of the game.

"The majority relented only when their number dwindled as that motion required approval by majority of all the members of the House. It’s unbelievable how some people would utterly push aside a grave public interest issue to give way to their political interest."

Golez further said: "But as street pundits say, we ain’t seen nothing yet. Expect worse next week when they start their direct assault on the Constitution with their machetes."

Since Monday, Arroyo has been holding meetings with congressmen on this new assault to the Constitution that they are planning. The reported timetable is their version of Con-Ass without the Senate on Dec. 6, a new Constitution that would change the system of government to parliamentary by Dec. 12, a nationwide plebiscite to approve the new Constitution on Feb. 12, and election for members of the Parliament by Nov. 30.

In this scenario, the May elections would be cancelled and the term of offices of the congressmen would be extended for six months up to Nov. 30.

We all know of course that what Arroyo and De Venecia are cooking up is unconstitutional. The Constitution provides three ways to amend the Constitution: Congress, by a vote of three-fourths, convening as a constitutional assembly; Constitutional Convention; and People’s Initiative.

People’s Initiative is out of the question because survey after survey shows that majority of the Filipino people are against changing the Constitution now. A Social Weather Stations survey showed 67 percent of the Filipinos oppose Cha-Cha now while only 29 would go for it. Pulse Asia’s showed 42 percent are against Cha-Cha now with 39 percent in favor.

Those survey figures support the Supreme Court’s judgment that it was a fraudulent "People’s Initiative" that Malacañang stooges, Sigaw ng Bayan and ULAP (Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, presented before the Comelec as its first attempt to change the charter.

Constitutional Convention is not being considered by Malacañang because it takes time and a huge budget.

We can imagine that money is not much of a problem for Arroyo since she has access to government treasury. But she has problem with time.

It’s now December and mid-term election will be held in May. The national sentiment, as reflected in a Pulse Asia survey of senatorial preferences, anybody associated with Arroyo is bad news. In the national level, administration candidates are expected to get a thrashing. "Pupulutin sa kangkungan," is the perfect Tagalog description of the election prospects of Arroyo’s candidates in the May elections.

The local election is a different ball game but there’s a high probability that people’s disdain for Arroyo could be a curse for those running for a seat in the Lower House. A defeat of Arroyo’s candidates in the 2007 elections, would make her vulnerable to impeachment.

Of course, Arroyo can again activate the cheating machinery that worked overtime for her in the 2004 election. But she would need the cooperation of the military.

We have no doubt that AFP chief Hermogenes Esperon would not be so averse to reprise what he did in 2004 as hinted by Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano in the "Hello Garci" tapes but that would really cause more revulsion among members of the armed forces who are conscious of their supposed non-partisan role in elections.

That’s one of the concerns of just-resigned Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz. He felt that he could no longer guarantee to officers that the military will be insulated in the 2007 elections.

Even if she escapes impeachment up to 2010, Arroyo knows the danger she faces once she is out of power. She would be made to pay for the crimes she had committed against the Filipino people. Charter change to her is survival.

We seriously doubt she and De Venecia and all 194 congressmen will succeed with their fake Con-Ass. Even if they get the Supreme Court, without Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, to go along with them, there is no telling what happens with an incensed public and all the institutions damaged.

Sen. Franklin Drilon spoke about Arroyo’s plan to impose martial law early this year which Secretary Cruz had opposed. Cruz, in an interview wit ANC’s Ricky Carandang said US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had warned against it.

A Malacañang source gave us a slightly different scenario contemplated last year, when the hard-liners in Malacañang thought that Arroyo would fall. He said there was a talk of a "Coup-me" the establishment of a junta to be composed of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, national secretary adviser Norberto Gonzales, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, and Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane. We were told that Arroyo’s brother, Diosdado "Buboy" Macapagal Jr. was included in the junta.

In her desperation, what would prevent Arroyo from coming up with another variation of martial law? The people should be on guard. The worst is yet to come.

Readers who missed a column can go to http://www.ellentordesillas.com

Email address: ellentordesillas@gmail.com

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From the raging crowd
It's all-out war against constituent assembly
Cha Cha is about Political Survival